Clutch



July 2o, 1943. w, w, can. 4.zgstzziw13. Y A cw'rcn Filed Api-11 24. 1941 E AINVENTOK` WILLIAM wcRlLEY ,set of springs on a given Patented July 20, 1943 currcn l william W. Ciney, `shaker 'Heights ohio, as-

signor to The Ajax Manufacturing Company,

Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Appucanmapru v24, 194i, serial No. 390,093

j (ci. 1ozasi y11 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in a friction type clutch wherein the engaging members consist of plate-like elements which are axially movable toward and away from each other, or packed operating pressure, as the clutch is actuated into engaged and released positions, respectively.

My invention is particularly applicable to friction clutches of the multiple plate type in which there are a plurality of driving plates engaging vwith a plurality of driven plates.

It has been appreciated and unpacked,under by those skilled in the l art that it is desirable to provide some means for axially moving the clutch plates out of engagement with each other when the operating or packing pressure is released, other than `mere reliance upon the tendency of the plates to move out of frictional contact with each other. Here-.i tofore, coil and leaf springs have been mounted between alternate plates for the purpose o f moving them out of contact upon clutch release and in order to prevent the driving plates from rid` ing on or having slip contact with the driven plates, to avoid unnecessary wear of the frictionengaging surfaces of theplates. Howeve'such prior expedients for moving the clutch. plates into unengaged, free position have been subject to a` disadvantage, in that the springpressure l is not uniform, balanced or controlled, with the result that not only will there be a tendency to;

cock or to throw an individual plate out of proper radial alignment, thus causing a binding in its axial movement supports, but also for one. plate to exert a greater:` total pressure than another set of springs on another plate, with the very' opposite result of that which it was sought to achieve in the first place, i. e., one driving plate, although forced out of contact with a driven plate on one side, will, in turn, be forced into contact with a driven plate on its other side. I I

Furthermore, since considerable heat of friction is generated in the clutch plates themselves, it `is transmitted 'directly to the springs which are mounted upon them, resulting in an annealing action or drawing of thej'terriper of the metal of the springs, thus decreasing the originally exerted spring pressure.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of my invention to provide means formoving the clutch plates in a friction type clutch toa position where they will be positively free and separated from the adjacent plates, and with the elimination of the above outlined disadvantages. l

It is a further object of my invention to protatablysupported by means of the vide such' a predetermined and adjustable for each individual plate.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- -vide an indicating means which is accessible and visible from the exterior of the clutch and positively indicates the amount of axial movement of the individual clutch plates from engaged to released position within the interior of the clutch.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of thegmeans hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out ln the claims, the annexed t drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one ofvarious mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used. Y

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken along the axial center line of a half,.'portion of a clutch embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a detailed. sectional view taken upon a plane, radially removed from that of Fig. 1.

The clutch construction shown in the drawing is of the multiple plate, heavy duty type, which is particularly adapted for use on metal-forming machines, such. as presses, forging machines and the like. The illustrated construction. shows a driven shaft I upon which the driving element comprising a gearwheel or a. fly wheel 2 is roradially extending side wall portions 3 and' I. The side walls l and l, in effect, constitute a "straddle` housing mounted upon the driven shaft 1I by means of vthe bearings 6 and B, respectively. A plurality of driven plates `l, B and l are mounted upon the shaft I and adapted to rotate therewith, but are axially slidable or movable thereon. The driven plates 1, l and .8, are thus suitably mounted on the shaft vI, by means of a spline fitting, as yindicated at I0. Friction facings F are carried by both of the opposite faces ofreach of the plates 1, 8 and 8.

`il plurality'of driving plates II, are alternately spaced with respect to the driven plates 1, 8 and 9. The plate Il is attached to the housing wall 3 by means of the stud I5 and also keyed to the ily wheel proper by means of av f clutch plate spacing means-inwhich` `the amount of separating movement is uniform,

l2, la and lr released position in Fig. 1.

f directed by means of the duct I5.

vpositive movement.. spacing 2 and are likewise keyed to the latter by means 'of similar tooth and slot fittings I5'.

The driving plates II, I2, I5 and I4 and the driven plates 1, 8 and 9 are shown in unpacked, Actuating means are provided for packing or axially compressing these driving and driven plates to effect clutch engagement. Such actuating means may suit- .ably comprise an annular hydraulic piston I5 mounted in the annular cylinder II and into which uid under pressure, such as oil or air is The duct Il, of course, leads from the axial center line of the shaft I and is connected to a hydraulic pressure supply line (not shown) bysuitable tittingor distributor mounted at the end I 5 of the duct I8. As the driving and driven plates are moved from packed to unpacked position, viz., when the actuating pressure is released upon the piston I6, it is highly desirable that their respective contacting surfaces be moved into a .position clear and free from each other. A connecting rod carried by the driving plate Il and extending through the housing wall` I is spring-loaded by the coil compression spring 2I. The pressure exerted by the spring 2| is adjustable by means oi' the nut 22 threaded on the end of the rod 2li. Only one of these connecting rods 20 is shown in Fig. 1, but it will be readily understoodby those skilled in the art that a series of them, circumferentially Y spaced, are employed. The spring-loaded connecting rods 20 function to move the driving plate'Il as well as the piston I5 from 'unpacked position and clear of the driven plate I, when the clutch-actuating pressure is released. However, the remaining driving plates Il, I2 and I3 and the driven plates 1 and 5 would not be moved to a free, unpacked position when the clutch is released if it were not for the positive movement spacing means provided by my invention and presently to be described. Il no/,such

vided for moving the respective driving and driven plates out of contact with each other, they would be subject to the tendency of having their friction surfaces' riding against themselves when the clutch is released, or when the driven shaft I is stationary and the driving element 2 rotating, thus generating unnecessary heat of friction in the clutchY and resulting in wear and deterioration upon the friction-engaging parts. This undesirable tendency becomes particularly emphasized when there is a tight or binding fitting of the driving plates at their supporting pints I5'.

,'Io overcome this disadvantage I have provided means for `positively,moving the intermediate driving plates I2 and I3to a uniform, predetermined position,.free and clear of the driven plates 1, 8 and 9 when the clutch is in released.

position. Such means comprises a set oi' bars or plungers 25 (only one oi' which is shown in the drawing), which are eircumferentially spaced and mounted in the cylindricalopenings 25 in the side wall housing 3. An adjusting screw plug 21 isalso mounted in the housing 5 and in longitudinal alignment with the plunger 25. The screw plug 21 is locked against rotation by means of a set screw 25.

A coil compression spring 30 is mounted bei tween the inner end oi' the plunger 25 and the inner end of the adjusting screw plug 21. A spring check rod or stud 3i leads from the plunger 25 to the exterior of the plug 21. The

means Were DPO-v 'shown in Fig. 1.

head portion 32 on the check rod 5I ahnte against the outer end of the plug 21 and thus limits the inward, axial or longitudinal movement of the plunger 25 with respect to the cup 21, and the side wall housing 3 towhich it is attached. Adjustment of the screw plug 21 is also available if need be, to correct any variation after'a period of use of the amount of spring pressure (i. e. in addition to the hereinafter described pre-loading adjustment of the pressure springsl) that is to be transmitted from the coil spring 30 to .the plunger 25. This adjustment is most advantageous' in maintaining during the life of the clutch, the exertion of uniform separating pressure around the circumference of the driving plates, so that the axial movement of the latter tends to remain in proper, alignment. Furthermore, it will be noted that such spring pressure adjustment or load determination" may be made from the exterior oi' the clutch housing and without requiring the dismantling or disassembly of the clutch parte:

The check rod II is threadably engaged in the interior oi' the plunger 25, as indicated at 52, and a dowel pin Il is provided to lock the rod 5I and the plunger 25 against relative rotation etter the desired spring adjustment lor pre-loading has been made.

The plunger 25, of course, extends through the axially xed plate II andvconta'cts at its inner end with the axially movable driving plate I2. As the plate I2 is 'moved to packed position when the clutch is actuated,v it will also move the plunger`25 in a lef-tha'nd or outward direction against the pressure of the spring and es the clutch-actuating I pressure is released, the pressure oi' the spring il will. in tum, move the plate I 2 back to its freejand clear position, u

The amount oi themovement of the-plate I2 will, in turn, be visibly indicated on-the'exterior of the clutch housing 5 bythe distance D of the head 52 from the end of the'cup 211.` This distance D, in turn, is adjustable and predetermined by the longitudinal,

ixed position of the adjusting screw plug 21 in the housing wall 3. In order to insure uniform, axial movement oi';the plate vI2 and uniform application oi' prA Yure'to it around its periphery, this adjustmentmade so that the distance D is equal for each and every one of the plural number oi' circumferentially spaced plungers. A similar, visibly indicated movement of the clutch plate I4 is rendered available distance D by which the collar 22' on vtheiod 20 extends beyond side wall 4. The distance D' justed to be equal to three times Furthermore, the plunger 25 is pre-loaded to a predetermined, uniform spring pressure by means oi' adjusting the threaded engagement 22 between the stud vf2| and the plunger 25. This adjustment is, of course, made before assembly of the plungers 25 and their related parts in the clutch housing, thus rendering it possible to test and check such adjusted spring pressures individually on a suitable testing machine.

Similar means are provided for positively moving the driving plate Il to a free and clear posiis suitably adthe'I distance D.

the surface of the abusing' v Furthermore. it wm be noted that the con co described plunger 25, except that their predetermined adjustment for longitudinal movement will be made twice that "of `the `distance D, and two-thirds the distance D'. Thus, if 'the distance D is adjusted to one-eighth o! an inch in a given clutch construction, the corresponding distance for the plungers 25 'will bef'adiusted to onefourth of an inch.' This is for the reasonthatv the innermost plate i3 must be moved twice the axial distance from the housing wall 3 as that `of the plater l2, in order tofprovide the proper clearance space for the additionally interposed driven plate 8. Wear upo`n the surfaces of both the driving and driven clutch plates is conveniently compensated for by an adjusting means regulating theaxial distance between the housing side walls 3 and 4. Theseadjustment means 'A comprise a plurality of segmental plates or shims 40, whichare mounted in the annular clearance space 4l between thehousing side wall 4 and the nywheel 2. These segmental shims are nor rnally held in place by fastening studs 42. It will thus be seen thatthe last-mentioned wear adjustment is conveniently,accomplished by means of loosening the nuts on the tie bolts 4I, unfastoning` the studs 42 and `removing Vone or more layers of the segmental slums 4B and reassembli'ng the studs 42 and re-tightening the nuts on the bolts 43. The axial thickness of the removed segmental plates 4B permitsthe housing side walls '3 and 4 to move axially closer'together and thus .determines the amount of lclutch wear take-up. e

It will thus be seen that my above-described invention provides a means forpositively moving clutch. said indicatinmeans being an nbl part with said limiting means. d

2. .liiaclutch, driving and driven platesaxially movable into and out of engagement with other, one of said plates being located intermedie ate of the others,` means for moving said `plates into engagement, yieldable means eontatctingsaid` one of said Aplates for urging it out of engagement with the others, means for adjustably regu? lating the yieldable pressure exerted by said yieldable means and means for indicating `the amount of movement'of said yieldable means, said indicating means being visible on the e'xterior of said clutch and being directly connected to said yieldable means.. d d

3. In a clutch, driving and driven plates axially movable into and outof engagement with each other, one of said plates being located intermediate of the others, means for moving said plates into engagement, yieldable means contacting said" one of said plates for urging it out or engage-` ment with the others, means for limiting the movement of said yieldable means, said limiting means vbeing directly connected to said yieldable means and projecting `to the exterior of `said clutch, means for adjustably regulating the yieldable pressure exerted by said yieldable means and means for indicating the amount ofmovernent of said yieldable means, said indicating means being visible on the exterior of fsaid clutch and being directly connected to said yieldable means.

each one ofthe plurality of driving plates a uniform, predetermined distance when in released position, `which distance is suiilcient to render their contacting surfaces free and clear from th adjacent contacting surfaces of the driven pla pression springs are located at a'point rem ed from the clutch plates themselves whereb the heatof friction generated therein cannot e directly transmitted to them to draw their life of operation of the clutch. In other` words, the coil springs are, in effect, insulated/from the heat generating plates through the medium oi' the plungers 25 and 25'. which are 'capable of absorbing and dissipating any such heat before v it has an opportunity to reach the remotely disposed springs. 'l

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change .being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingxclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I, therefore, particularlyfpoint out and distinctly claim asn/my invention:

Der and thus affect the spring pressures during the y ing, said bars being adapted to contact said driv- 4.- In a clutch, drivingand driven plates axially movable into and out of engagement with each other, a housing enclosing said plates, means for moving said plates into engagement, a plurality `of axially movable bars circumferentially spaced and mounted in a radial wall of said housing, springs urging said bars inwardly of said housing plates and axially adjustable abutment means also mounted in a radial wall of said housing and extending to the exterior thereof for` limiting the extent of such inward movement.

5. In a clutch, driving and driven plates ax#v ially movable into and out of engagement `with each other,` a housing enclosing said plates, means for moving said plates. into engagement,

a .plurality of axially movable bars circumfer-` entially spaced land mounted in a radial wall of said housing, springs urging said bars inwardly of said housing, said bars being adapted to contact said driving plates, axially adjustable abut` ment means arranged between said bars Vand said housing for limiting the extent' of such inward 1. In a clutch, drivingand driven plates axially movable intoV and out of engagement with each other, one of said plates being located intermediate of the others. means for moving said plates into engagement, yieldable meanscontacting said one of said plates for urging it out of' engagemovement and means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said springs on said bars.

6. In a clutch, driving and driven plates axially., movable into and out of engagement with each other, a housing enclosing said` plates', means for moving said plates into engagement,

a plurality of axially movable plungers circumferentially spaced and mounted in a radial wall.

of said housing, insert members also mounted` in said housing inlongitudinal alignment with Ysaid plungers, connecting rods extending from each of said plungers slidably through said inl sert members, said connecting rods having :in

ment with the others, means for limiting the movement of said yieldable'means, said limiting means being directly'connected to said yieldable means and projecting to the exterior oi said clutch, ,andr means for indicating 4the amount of movement of said yieldable means, said indicating means being visible on the exterior of said each other, a housing enclosing said plates, means for moving said plates into engagement, a plurality of axially movable plungers circumferentially spaced and mounted in a radial wall of said housing, insert members also mounted in said housing in longitudinal alignment with said plungers, connecting rods extending from each of said plungers slidably through said insert members, said connecting rods having an exterior head portion adapted to abut against said insert members, compression springs mounted between said rplungers and said insert members, and means for adjustably retaining said insert members in predeterminedv axial position in said housing, said connecting rods threadablly engaging said plungers whereby to regulate the pressure exerted by saidk springs.

8. In a multiple plate clutch, a plurality of driving plates and a plurality of driven plates, alternately disposed therebetween, a housing enclosing said plates, the latter being axially movable in one direction into packed engagement and in the opposite direction, to unpacked, released position, respectively, a plurality of sets of bars mounted in the wall of said housing, each of said sets of bars being adapted to contact with one of said driving plates, means for urging said bars in an axial direction to move said plates to such unpacked position and axially adjustable abutment means also mounted in a radial wall of said housing and extending to the exterior thereof for limiting the extent of such inner movement.

9. In a multiple plate clutch, a plurality of driving plates and a plurality of driven plates, alternately disposed therebetween, a housing enclosing said plates, the latter being axially movable in one direction into packed engagement and in the opposite direction, to unpacked, released position, respectively, a plurality of sets ci bars mounted in the wall of said housing, each oi' said sets of bars being adapted to contact with one of said driving plates, means for urging said bars in an axial direction to move said plates to such unpackedv position, axially adjustable abutment means arranged between said bars and said housing for limiting the extentof such inward movement and means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said springs-on said bars.

10. In a multiple plate clutch, a plurality driving plates and a plurality of driven plates,

alternately disposed therebetween, a housing eny closing said plates, the latter being axially movable in one direction into packed engagement and in the opposite direction, to unpacked, released position, respectively, a plurality of sets of bars mounted in the wall of said housing, eachv of said sets of bars being adapted to contact with one of said driving plates, means for urging said bars in an axial direction to move said plates to such unpacked position, said set of bars con tacting the innermost of said driving plates extending through and being independent of the outermost of said plates and axially adjustable abutment means also mounted in a radial wall of said housing and extending to the exterior thereof for limiting the extent of such inward movement.

l1. In a multiple plate clutch, a plurality of driving plates and a plurality of driven plates, alternately disposed therebetween, a housing enclosing said plates, the latter being axially movable in one direction into packed engagement and in the opposite direction, to unpacked, released position, respectively, a plurality of sets of bars mounted in the wall of said housing, each of said sets of .bars being adapted to contact with one of said driving plates, means for urging said bars in an axial direction to move said plates to such unpacked position, said set of bars contacting the innermost of said driving plates extending through and being If'independent of the outermost of said plates, axially adjustable abutment means arranged between said bars and said housing for hunting the extent of such 1nward movement and means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said springs on said bars.

WILLIAM W. CRILEY. 

